Produced and raised in Ontario, MISS SPEEDY made a triumphant comeback on March 31 at Gulfstream Park after an extended break, securing an exhilarating victory in an allowance/optional turf sprint with her finest performance to date.
Miss Speedy, a seasoned winner in Ontario, started the race in ninth place after being a Souper Speedy and Miss Dorothy by Stormin Fever heiress. She trailed the leaders by a considerable margin of seven lengths as they set a blistering pace right from the start. Miss Speedy unleashed her speed under the guidance of Gulfstream Park's top jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., and surged ahead to win in a quick 54.74 seconds, earning an impressive 91 Beyer Speed Figure. That was the highest Beyer Figure she has achieved in her 14-race career.
With Set, owned by Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbreds, trainer Mark Casse had a successful day at the Gulfstream Championship meet. Set also won the Cutler Bay Stakes on March 30. Barber is also the proud owner of Miss Speedy, acquiring a stake in the talented filly from Ryan and Barry Kerbel during the summer of 2021 after an exceptional first race at a distance of 5 1/2 furlongs.
In that particular year, Linda Mason's creation, Miss Speedy, won the Duchess Stakes. However, she took a hiatus from racing until the autumn of 2022. During the previous winter, Barber ultimately acquired her. She emerged victorious in the Ballade Stakes and secured second place in the Whimsical Stakes (G3). Miss Speedy secured her sixth victory over the weekend, bringing her career earnings to an impressive $330,479.
Casse also had several successful horses on Sunday, including Boomin Belle in a starter allowance and Creed's Gold in a maiden particular weight, both owned by different individuals.
Barber also had reason to rejoice in Dubai on World Cup day as FACTEUR CHEVAL (Ire) emerged victorious in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1) on March 30. The thoroughbred, co-owned by Team Valor International, emerged victorious in the 1 1/8 mile turf competition, narrowly defeating Namur by a mere half a head. Under the guidance of Jerome Reynier, Facteur Cheval achieved victory for the first time since October 2022. The five-year-old, bred in Ribchester, achieved an impressive second place in two prestigious Group 1 races last year: the Sussex Stakes and the QE II Stakes.
The Dubai Turf witnessed a tightly contested finish that tragically led to a fatal accident involving the well-liked gelding Catnip, who was under the guidance of trainer Michael Stidham and owned by John and Susan Moore.
Remaining focused on Dubai, the triumph of TWO RIVERS OVER in the prestigious Grade 2 Godolphin Mile made headlines due to his sire, TAMARKUZ, who hails from Ontario. Located at Ballycroy Bloodstock in Loretto, ON, Tamarkuz, who has only produced four generations of racers, celebrated the birth of his second champion in a prestigious stakes race. Two Rivers Over, the victor of the Zia Park Derby in November, was dispatched to Dubai under the guidance of trainer Doug O'Neill. The four-year-old horse displayed a remarkable comeback, seizing victory in the $3.6 million race and amassing earnings of $581,197. Interestingly, Tamarkuz, a descendant of Speightstown, also emerged victorious in the Godolphin Mile and currently holds the title of Canada's top sire in terms of earnings from offspring.
MESSIER, a former top contender for the Queen's Plate, seemed poised to secure his long-awaited victory after triumphing in the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on March 30. The offspring of Empire Maker, a talented runner who achieved success in California in both 2021 and 2022 under the guidance of renowned trainer Bob Baffert, was competing in his second race under the tutelage of Richard Dutrow. Regrettably, Messier was found responsible for interference in the final stretch due to a contentious decision made by the stewards. Messier came in second, finishing behind the 54-to-1 favourite, Laughing Boy.
Champion of the first grade FEV ROVER (Ire), the likely frontrunner for Horse of the Year at the upcoming April 18 Sovereign Awards, recently had her initial training session of 2024. She breezed three furlongs at Woodbine on the Tapeta on March 31, completing the distance in 36.20. Under the guidance of Mark Casse, Fev Rover emerged victorious in both the E.P. Taylor Stakes and the Beverly D. in 2023, showcasing her exceptional talent and skill. The young competitor has achieved an impressive record with six victories out of 20 races, accumulating an amazing $1.2 million in earnings.